Aug. 26, 2010
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By Christian Edwards
UCFAthletics.com
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Last Saturday night the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Miami Dolphins squared off in a pre-season matchup. The game was seemingly meaningless as it did not impact the win/loss column, but to two players it was a rivalry renewed.
Miami Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall and Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Mike Sims-Walker have been competing against each other ever since their collegiate careers at UCF.
They were an especially formidable duo in 2005, Marshall's senior year and Sims-Walker's junior, as both were selected to the All-Conference USA Second Team. Marshall recorded 74 receptions for 1,195 yards and 11 touchdowns, and Sims-Walker caught 64 passes for 855 yards and nine touchdowns.
Marshall and Sims-Walker have maintained a close relationship throughout their professional careers, and talk to each other almost every day.
"He's like my brother," Sims-Walker said of Marshall. "We're best friends, but we're bigger than that. Our families are very close. I talk to his mom like I talk to my mom. Sometimes he calls my mom and asks how everything is. Also my brother, he talks to my brother probably more than he talks to me. We're just very close."
Their close relationship has helped fuel their thirst for success.
"We compete and root for each other," Sims-Walker said. "We have our own personal goals. I try to beat his and he'll try to beat mine, and I haven't won yet."
Sims-Walker is referring to Marshall's elite production in the NFL. In his first four seasons as a pro, Marshall has established himself as one of the best receivers in the league. He has recorded at least 100 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons (2007-09), and has been selected to two Pro Bowls (2008 and 2009).
"To see us flourish and for him to become one of the best receivers in the league is great," Sims-Walker said. "For me, I'm trying to get where he is right now."
Sims-Walker is not far behind. After being hampered by injuries in his first two NFL seasons, he had a breakout 2009 season. Sims-Walker led the Jaguars in receptions (63) and receiving yards (869), and enters the 2010 season as the number one receiver on the depth chart.
The 2010 season will be Marshall's first year with Miami after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Denver Broncos. He will be the Dolphins number one receiver and looks to record at least 100 receptions for the fourth consecutive season.
Sims-Walker was not the only Jaguar to have collegiate ties to Marshall. Defensive tackle Leger Douzable played at UCF with Marshall from 2004-05.
"Brandon is like my big brother," Douzable said of Marshall. "When I was at UCF he looked out for me."
When asked about Marshall and Sims-Walker's relationship while at UCF, Douzable stated, "They're exactly the same as they were in college. They compete a lot against each other in everything."
Marshall and Sims-Walker played only in the first half of the game on Saturday, but both finished the game as their teams' leading receiver. Marshall won the rivalry with Sims-Walker from a statistical perspective as he recorded four receptions for 65 yards. He also made a pivotal block on a Jaguars defensive back, which led to the Dolphins' first touchdown. Sims-Walker was productive as well as he caught three passes for 64 yards. Douzable also contributed with one tackle. The Dolphins won the game 27-26.